Monday, December 25, 2006
Nightwalk Sightings Sept - Dec 06
This year has been unusual, in that we have not really had any very hot weather. This has meant a slow start to snake and other reptile sightings. (but nice cool nights for humans!)
It wasn't really until November that we started to see many snakes on the Nightwalks, but once we did there were plenty around, with up to 4 snakes being seen in one night in December. Several species have been seen, with the most spectacular being a 4m Amethystine Python, coiled up beside the path! Amethystine Pythons are Australia's largest snake species, with an 8.6m example having been recorded. They do like pets however, and anyone with cats, small dogs, chickens, or in the case of one our guides, rehabilitating Fruit bats needs to be careful or their pets become python fodder.
Likewise the Forest Dragons have not been as visible, usually we see many more of these as soon as the rain starts. During September and October there were a number of Gravid (pregnant) females around, but they appear to have all laid by now. Likewise the Water Dragons have all laid eggs and the babies have hatched, at least this has been our observation along Myall Creek. Cool years are probably harder for these creatures, as there are less insects than usual.
The dry weather has been good to the Native Rats, and we have had many good sightings of Melomys, Cape York Rats, Prehensile Tailed Rats, and White Tailed Rats. Rats are to a degree dependent on good weather, the smaller species tend to suffer population declines when there is prolonged rain.
Crocodile sightings have been good, with regualr good sightings of up to 3 different Crocs. Sadly this year here we had a Crocodile trapped and removed from a local creek, despite local opposition. It had bitten a tourist, but only after extreme provocation from the tourist, who actually was silly enough to get in the water with it and slap a stick on the water. We feel that Crocs should not generally be removed from wilderness locations such as this, especially if the attack is the result of blatant stupidity as this was.
Generally other sightings have been good with most nights groups seeing sleeping birds, insects and spiders, and even the occasional Striped Possum. Frogs have been a little active, but will surely be present in huge numbers once the rain begins. Rainy warm weather really is the best time to see wildlfe here.
See you on a rainy Nightwalk in 2007!
It wasn't really until November that we started to see many snakes on the Nightwalks, but once we did there were plenty around, with up to 4 snakes being seen in one night in December. Several species have been seen, with the most spectacular being a 4m Amethystine Python, coiled up beside the path! Amethystine Pythons are Australia's largest snake species, with an 8.6m example having been recorded. They do like pets however, and anyone with cats, small dogs, chickens, or in the case of one our guides, rehabilitating Fruit bats needs to be careful or their pets become python fodder.
Likewise the Forest Dragons have not been as visible, usually we see many more of these as soon as the rain starts. During September and October there were a number of Gravid (pregnant) females around, but they appear to have all laid by now. Likewise the Water Dragons have all laid eggs and the babies have hatched, at least this has been our observation along Myall Creek. Cool years are probably harder for these creatures, as there are less insects than usual.
The dry weather has been good to the Native Rats, and we have had many good sightings of Melomys, Cape York Rats, Prehensile Tailed Rats, and White Tailed Rats. Rats are to a degree dependent on good weather, the smaller species tend to suffer population declines when there is prolonged rain.
Crocodile sightings have been good, with regualr good sightings of up to 3 different Crocs. Sadly this year here we had a Crocodile trapped and removed from a local creek, despite local opposition. It had bitten a tourist, but only after extreme provocation from the tourist, who actually was silly enough to get in the water with it and slap a stick on the water. We feel that Crocs should not generally be removed from wilderness locations such as this, especially if the attack is the result of blatant stupidity as this was.
Generally other sightings have been good with most nights groups seeing sleeping birds, insects and spiders, and even the occasional Striped Possum. Frogs have been a little active, but will surely be present in huge numbers once the rain begins. Rainy warm weather really is the best time to see wildlfe here.
See you on a rainy Nightwalk in 2007!
Sunday, June 18, 2006
Nightwalk Sightings Summary Jan – May 06 for Mason’s Tours
The sightings have been average during the last five months, our dry spell has been replaced with the wettest weather for years! So far nearly 5m of rain has fallen in 2006! Although wet weather often results in improved sightings, this year’s deluge appears to have even put the wildlife off…
Snake sightings have been poor generally. We have seen only a few Amethystine Pythons and some Brown Tree Snakes. The largest snake of the season was seen by me in suburban Manoora, a suburb of Cairns. This was a whopping 3 to 4 m Python, easily 20kg or so! Must be some nervous cats in that street. Parks and Wildlife told me that these snakes adapt well to suburbia, and live in roof spaces and the like. It sure surprised me!
Boyd’s Forest Dragon sightings have been average too, even with all the rain. These lizards are often found on tree trunks at eye level, which makes for great viewing. Boyd’s Forest Dragons are only found in the wet tropics from Townsville to Cooktown and are a special thing to see here.
Eastern Water Dragons have been the exception, and proved a reliable sighting during the wet. At times we were seeing 4 a night. Mason’s have a large permanent stream central to their trails, and thus we see more Water Dragons than other operators. Male Water dragons are harem forming, and much larger than females. We have seen them up to 1.5m long. (Note reptile books measure lizards snout to anus and thus the tail length is left off)
Leaf tailed Geckos have not been seen much. We usually see more of these around May. Their camouflage is really amazing. They are often seen on tree trunks facing downwards, presumably hunting for insects. Once found, they are seen sometimes for several nights on the same tree.
Frog sightings great at the start of the wet, but there was so much rain that I think they bred until they could do no more.
Few Striped Possums have been sighted during this time. There are still lots of dead trees around after the 99 cyclone, and this means there are many larvae to be found, which Stripey Possums love. We often here the noisy little fellows before we see them, as they make a real racket searching for food. I expect more of these to be seen during the winter months.
Croc sightings have also been average; the Crocs have perhaps been traveling during the warm weather. I expect the sightings will improve now that the weather has cooled down. In fact the last week has seen some really good Croc sightings.
Native rats have not been seen much at all. Wet weather means less food and less locations for burrows. Native rats have population ‘tides’ and low tide is usually the wet weather. More will be seen as the population rises in winter.
We have also been seeing a few Bandicoots , and there seems to still be a healthy population of Northern Brown Bandicoots in the valley. Long Nosed Bandicoots have also been seen a bit.
Hope to see you on a Nightwalk in June July or August!!!
Snake sightings have been poor generally. We have seen only a few Amethystine Pythons and some Brown Tree Snakes. The largest snake of the season was seen by me in suburban Manoora, a suburb of Cairns. This was a whopping 3 to 4 m Python, easily 20kg or so! Must be some nervous cats in that street. Parks and Wildlife told me that these snakes adapt well to suburbia, and live in roof spaces and the like. It sure surprised me!
Boyd’s Forest Dragon sightings have been average too, even with all the rain. These lizards are often found on tree trunks at eye level, which makes for great viewing. Boyd’s Forest Dragons are only found in the wet tropics from Townsville to Cooktown and are a special thing to see here.
Eastern Water Dragons have been the exception, and proved a reliable sighting during the wet. At times we were seeing 4 a night. Mason’s have a large permanent stream central to their trails, and thus we see more Water Dragons than other operators. Male Water dragons are harem forming, and much larger than females. We have seen them up to 1.5m long. (Note reptile books measure lizards snout to anus and thus the tail length is left off)
Leaf tailed Geckos have not been seen much. We usually see more of these around May. Their camouflage is really amazing. They are often seen on tree trunks facing downwards, presumably hunting for insects. Once found, they are seen sometimes for several nights on the same tree.
Frog sightings great at the start of the wet, but there was so much rain that I think they bred until they could do no more.
Few Striped Possums have been sighted during this time. There are still lots of dead trees around after the 99 cyclone, and this means there are many larvae to be found, which Stripey Possums love. We often here the noisy little fellows before we see them, as they make a real racket searching for food. I expect more of these to be seen during the winter months.
Croc sightings have also been average; the Crocs have perhaps been traveling during the warm weather. I expect the sightings will improve now that the weather has cooled down. In fact the last week has seen some really good Croc sightings.
Native rats have not been seen much at all. Wet weather means less food and less locations for burrows. Native rats have population ‘tides’ and low tide is usually the wet weather. More will be seen as the population rises in winter.
We have also been seeing a few Bandicoots , and there seems to still be a healthy population of Northern Brown Bandicoots in the valley. Long Nosed Bandicoots have also been seen a bit.
Hope to see you on a Nightwalk in June July or August!!!
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Nightwalk Sightings Summary Oct - Dec 05 for Mason’s Tours
The sightings have been good during the last three months, considering the dry spell we have had. In fact it has been the driest since 1992, with all the grass dying and Cape trib looking browner than it has in years! Rain on 23 December and since has made the place undergo a quick colour change back to green though.
Snake sightings have been fair, more so during December.
We have seen several Amethystine Pythons, some as long as three metres. These friendly and handsome snakes are common at Cape Tribulation. They get their name from the shimmering amethyst colour they display under light. These are constrictors, and are not venomous at all. The biggest one ever recorded was 8.6m long. Mason’s Tours have several times seen 5m plus individuals on their trails.
Boyd’s Forest Dragon sightings have been poor, up until the rain. These lizards are often found on tree trunks at eye level, which makes for great viewing. Boyd’s Forest Dragons are only found in the wet tropics from Townsville to Cooktown and are a special thing to see here. Since the rain, up to 4 per night have been seen.
Eastern Water Dragons have also quiet until the rain. In fact 2 dead ones were found during the height of the dry. Their bodies were unmarked, but it would seem the dry weather in some way caused their demise. Mason’s have a large permanent stream central to their trails, and thus we see more Water Dragons than other operators. Male Water dragons are harem forming, and much larger than females. We have seen them up to 1.5m long. (Note reptile books measure lizards snout to anus and thus the tail length is left off)
Leaf tailed Geckos have not been seen much. We usually see more of these around May. Their camouflage is really amazing. They are often seen on tree trunks facing downwards, presumably hunting for insects. Once found, they are seen sometimes for several nights on the same tree.
Frog sightings have been excellent since the rain, and most nights the sound of croaking can be heard. So far it has not been wet enough for breeding, but believe me the frogs are ready and waiting!
Some Striped Possums have been seen, on all areas of the tracks. There are still lots of dead trees around after the 99 cyclone, and this means there are many larvae to be found, which Stripey Possums love. We often here the noisy little fellows before we see them, as they make a real racket searching for food.
Croc sightings have been good; the Crocs have been seen on well over 50% of the walks. On several occasions the whole croc has been seen on the surface. The largest seems to be about 2.5m long and is not that worried about us looking at him. The are still three crocs are still in Myall Creek, and we have seen two in a night on occasion. People have also reported seeing crocs on the bank of Myall Creek during the day.
Native rats have been active; the lack of really heavy rains means their numbers have been staying high. In particular there are lots of Melomys about, and we usually find these by listening for the chewing sound as they use their sharp teeth to open seeds. These same sharp teeth can wreak havoc in your house, and Melomys are fond of moving in with locals!!!
We have also been seeing Bandicoots regularly, and there seems to still be a healthy population of Northern Brown Bandicoots in the valley. Long Nosed Bandicoots have also been seen a bit.
Hope to see you on a Nightwalk in January, February or March!!!
Snake sightings have been fair, more so during December.
We have seen several Amethystine Pythons, some as long as three metres. These friendly and handsome snakes are common at Cape Tribulation. They get their name from the shimmering amethyst colour they display under light. These are constrictors, and are not venomous at all. The biggest one ever recorded was 8.6m long. Mason’s Tours have several times seen 5m plus individuals on their trails.
Boyd’s Forest Dragon sightings have been poor, up until the rain. These lizards are often found on tree trunks at eye level, which makes for great viewing. Boyd’s Forest Dragons are only found in the wet tropics from Townsville to Cooktown and are a special thing to see here. Since the rain, up to 4 per night have been seen.
Eastern Water Dragons have also quiet until the rain. In fact 2 dead ones were found during the height of the dry. Their bodies were unmarked, but it would seem the dry weather in some way caused their demise. Mason’s have a large permanent stream central to their trails, and thus we see more Water Dragons than other operators. Male Water dragons are harem forming, and much larger than females. We have seen them up to 1.5m long. (Note reptile books measure lizards snout to anus and thus the tail length is left off)
Leaf tailed Geckos have not been seen much. We usually see more of these around May. Their camouflage is really amazing. They are often seen on tree trunks facing downwards, presumably hunting for insects. Once found, they are seen sometimes for several nights on the same tree.
Frog sightings have been excellent since the rain, and most nights the sound of croaking can be heard. So far it has not been wet enough for breeding, but believe me the frogs are ready and waiting!
Some Striped Possums have been seen, on all areas of the tracks. There are still lots of dead trees around after the 99 cyclone, and this means there are many larvae to be found, which Stripey Possums love. We often here the noisy little fellows before we see them, as they make a real racket searching for food.
Croc sightings have been good; the Crocs have been seen on well over 50% of the walks. On several occasions the whole croc has been seen on the surface. The largest seems to be about 2.5m long and is not that worried about us looking at him. The are still three crocs are still in Myall Creek, and we have seen two in a night on occasion. People have also reported seeing crocs on the bank of Myall Creek during the day.
Native rats have been active; the lack of really heavy rains means their numbers have been staying high. In particular there are lots of Melomys about, and we usually find these by listening for the chewing sound as they use their sharp teeth to open seeds. These same sharp teeth can wreak havoc in your house, and Melomys are fond of moving in with locals!!!
We have also been seeing Bandicoots regularly, and there seems to still be a healthy population of Northern Brown Bandicoots in the valley. Long Nosed Bandicoots have also been seen a bit.
Hope to see you on a Nightwalk in January, February or March!!!
Mason’s Tours Founder Passes Away
Paul Mason 05/09/1937 – 18/09/05
Andrew Paul Mason (known as Paul), who had lived at Cape Tribulation nearly all his life, passed away in the ICU at Cairns Base Hospital on Sunday 18 September 2005, after a short illness.
Paul was born in 1937, not long after his parents moved there from Cow Bay. He spent a lot of his childhood in the area, and it was probably then that he started his love of fishing. He often said to his son that he remembered his brother Don taking him fishing, and later in life they were able to enjoy that again, until Don passed away in 2003.
After school Paul worked in various aspects of the family business, including timber cutting, and Mason Shipping. Mason Shipping was originally started for the benefit of the farm at Cape Tribulation, but ended up becoming much larger and took Paul all over Cape York. During the timber cutting years, Paul learned a great deal about the Rainforest, and this knowledge was used years later when he began guided walks.
His experience during the timber years also lead to his belief in the need for conservation of North Queensland’s Rainforests, and he was in later life able to share his firsthand knowledge of the damage caused by logging with many researchers who came to the area.
He had a serious fall in the rainforest when 17, he fell a long way down a series of cascades while walking on Mt Hemmant, and broke his pelvis. As a result, he reckoned he always knew when it was going to rain!
Paul traveled to the then British Solomon Islands in the early 1960s and worked as an Agricultural Advisor, and while there met and married Ann. (They celebrated there 40th wedding anniversary in March 2005.) They returned to Australia and purchased land at Cape Tribulation and ran cattle for many years, before moving into tourism.
During the 1970s Paul worked for the Douglas Shire, mostly on Cape Tribulation Road and always said it was while doing this that he got the idea of offering tours to visitors. In 1981, Paul founded what is now Mason’s Tours, doing guided day walks on his land and in Oliver and Noah Creek Valleys. Next year will see 25 years of operation by this business.
Paul Mason was a pioneer not only at cape Tribulation, but also of a style of tourism that today is the mainstay of the region. We call it eco-tourism, but Paul did not like the term, as he believed that true eco-tourism would be really different and more sympathic to the environment. When Mason’s Tours began in 1981, with Paul as the sole guide, it would have been one of only a few, if any similar businesses in the whole of North Queensland.
Paul and Ann’s refusal to sell land to agents or subdivide at any time has had a profound impact on how Cape Tribulation developed.
Paul and Ann were also founding members of The Cape Tribulation Community Council, which was instrumental in the founding of The Cape Tribulation National Park.
Paul and Ann took on The Cape Tribulation Shop in 1977, originally started by the Mann family, who rented a house off them. This business recently moved to a location closer to the road, and many people will remember Paul on his comfy stool working there.
Paul wished to be cremated privately with no fuss or fanfare, and his wishes were be carried out. His ashes will be scattered on the land, in the forest and on his favourite fishing spots.
He is survived by wife Ann, son Lawrence (manager of Mason’s Tours), and daughter Suari.
Andrew Paul Mason (known as Paul), who had lived at Cape Tribulation nearly all his life, passed away in the ICU at Cairns Base Hospital on Sunday 18 September 2005, after a short illness.
Paul was born in 1937, not long after his parents moved there from Cow Bay. He spent a lot of his childhood in the area, and it was probably then that he started his love of fishing. He often said to his son that he remembered his brother Don taking him fishing, and later in life they were able to enjoy that again, until Don passed away in 2003.
After school Paul worked in various aspects of the family business, including timber cutting, and Mason Shipping. Mason Shipping was originally started for the benefit of the farm at Cape Tribulation, but ended up becoming much larger and took Paul all over Cape York. During the timber cutting years, Paul learned a great deal about the Rainforest, and this knowledge was used years later when he began guided walks.
His experience during the timber years also lead to his belief in the need for conservation of North Queensland’s Rainforests, and he was in later life able to share his firsthand knowledge of the damage caused by logging with many researchers who came to the area.
He had a serious fall in the rainforest when 17, he fell a long way down a series of cascades while walking on Mt Hemmant, and broke his pelvis. As a result, he reckoned he always knew when it was going to rain!
Paul traveled to the then British Solomon Islands in the early 1960s and worked as an Agricultural Advisor, and while there met and married Ann. (They celebrated there 40th wedding anniversary in March 2005.) They returned to Australia and purchased land at Cape Tribulation and ran cattle for many years, before moving into tourism.
During the 1970s Paul worked for the Douglas Shire, mostly on Cape Tribulation Road and always said it was while doing this that he got the idea of offering tours to visitors. In 1981, Paul founded what is now Mason’s Tours, doing guided day walks on his land and in Oliver and Noah Creek Valleys. Next year will see 25 years of operation by this business.
Paul Mason was a pioneer not only at cape Tribulation, but also of a style of tourism that today is the mainstay of the region. We call it eco-tourism, but Paul did not like the term, as he believed that true eco-tourism would be really different and more sympathic to the environment. When Mason’s Tours began in 1981, with Paul as the sole guide, it would have been one of only a few, if any similar businesses in the whole of North Queensland.
Paul and Ann’s refusal to sell land to agents or subdivide at any time has had a profound impact on how Cape Tribulation developed.
Paul and Ann were also founding members of The Cape Tribulation Community Council, which was instrumental in the founding of The Cape Tribulation National Park.
Paul and Ann took on The Cape Tribulation Shop in 1977, originally started by the Mann family, who rented a house off them. This business recently moved to a location closer to the road, and many people will remember Paul on his comfy stool working there.
Paul wished to be cremated privately with no fuss or fanfare, and his wishes were be carried out. His ashes will be scattered on the land, in the forest and on his favourite fishing spots.
He is survived by wife Ann, son Lawrence (manager of Mason’s Tours), and daughter Suari.
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